A respected New York sports reporter has refuted the recent claim that Ben Simmons had turned down a contract offer from the New York Knicks.
Last week, a report from NBA reporter Marc Stein claimed that the Knicks offered Simmons a contract for the veteran’s minimum, which is the only contract the Knicks can offer due to cap restrictions. Simmons reportedly rejected New York to search for a more lucrative deal.
However, the Knicks have yet to extend Simmons a formal offer, according to SNY Knicks reporter Ian Begley. He called “reports elsewhere” claiming otherwise to be “inaccurate.”
Begley clarified that the Knicks, who have one open roster spot remaining, have been in contact with Simmons this offseason. But the dialogue has not progressed to any sort of contract talk. Veteran guards Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet are also on New York’s radar.
Simmons has not had an encouraging offseason thus far. The former All-NBA talent remains without a home and has already been dropped by his agent, Bernie Lee. The veteran agent was reportedly unhappy with Simmons over his reluctance to play for the Knicks, regardless of whether the three-time All-Star received an offer to play for the team or not.
The former Philadelphia 76ers standout was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022. The Nets stuck with Simmons until he was bought out last season, which allowed the Clippers to take a flier on him for the postseason.
The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 18 games off the Clippers’ bench.
